diff --git a/deploy_tee/README.md b/deploy_tee/README.md
index c9eee9d..37f119c 100644
--- a/deploy_tee/README.md
+++ b/deploy_tee/README.md
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ creation.
 
 ### Creating a new network (genesis ceremony)
 
+The network-shape decisions live entirely in step 1's authored inputs;
+everything after is derivation (`manifest assemble`) or per-node plumbing.
+A node joining later re-runs only steps 2–3 (via the operator CLI — see
+above); the manifest assembly and the ceremony are one-time founding acts.
+
 ```bash
 # 0. (Upstream) Build the image in seismic-images (CI or `make build`)
 #    and publish it + its measurements. This tool does not build.